October 16, 2009

Tripwiser asked Harry Elmensdorp, a native Hollander, what we should include in our Road Trip Planners to create a perfect day in Amsterdam. "Amsterdam, the city of canals," he replied, "is renowned for its liberalism and art and is amazing with its openness and freedom of choice afforded to its residents and tourists alike. The winding canals, the streetcars' ringing bells and the vibrant nightlife make this a popular stop in Europe and in the Netherlands." Indeed, judging by the number of reviews Amsterdam's received on our Facebook application, Going Places, Amsterdam is one of Tripwiser's most popular cities. It's right up there with New York, London, and Paris. So follow Harry as he spends the day in his favorite city in the Netherlands (comments in parenthesis are Tripwiser's).

A day off, so my girl and I go to Amsterdam, a city rich in culture and history. We begin our rounds through the inner-city, starting by car till we get to the Transferium Amsterdam (a park and ride facility). Parking in Amsterdam is very expensive so I always take the Transferium Amsterdam for €6 a day including metro cards ($8.88 USD). My first stop is at the Ajax Stadium (home of the famous Dutch soccer club) on Arena Boulevard, where you can also visit the Ajax Museum and the Ajax Fanshop.

Back on the metro with one switch to Tram 12 brings us to the famous Albert Cuypmarkt. This is a market where you can find clothing, toys, food, furniture, a lot of inexpensive things and where you can bargain to get the right price!

I always walk from the market to the Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square) to enjoy a nice lunch with drinks while sitting in the sun. A good place to eat (and drink and dance) is Escape, which is right in front of famous painter's statue in the square. These are the images we see while sitting on the terrace, people watching and simply enjoying life:

People passing by

Tourists with their cameras shooting pictures

Trams moving on

People on bikes ringing their bells to clear the way in front

A 60-year old man skating by, obviously enjoying this activity.

After a while, we resume our walk through the inner-city and pass Van Dobben, on Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5 (straat = street) where you can taste old-fashioned Amsterdammer snacks and sandwiches like the Kroket, a crusty ragout snack eaten with mustard (a local favorite). Amsterdam is known for its liberalism and tolerance and that is evident as we stroll further down Reguliersdwarsstraat, the street for gay Amsterdam. It's a pleasant street to wander through for straight and gay alike.

Now we arrive at the main shopping street of Amsterdam, the Kalverstraat. This is the place to get clothing, shoes, ties, food, gadgets and the things you're looking for, even a McDonalds. You'll be surprised because in between this shopping heaven is a tiny spot of peace called the Begijnhof (a courtyard and chapel created by religious communities in an attempt to retreat from the world and live their own isolated and devoted lives). This court area has been around since the middle ages so you'll find some old typical Amsterdam houses. To get there, you need to pass by the Amsterdam Historical Museum (definitely worth a stop because it contains artifacts from as far back as the seventeenth century).Continuing on through the Kalverstraat, we arrive at the center of Amsterdam, De Dam, where you come upon a few monuments in a row; the Royal Palace (built as the new city hall of Amsterdam in the 17th Century, this building was converted into the Royal Palace when King Louis Napoleon came to Amsterdam); and the National War Monument.

Between the Beurs van Berlage and Red Light District is the Warmoesstraat. Warmoesstraat is one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam, running parallel to the river Amstel from Amsterdam Centraal Railway Station to Dam Square. Its origins are in the 13th century. In the 16th and 17th century, it was the shopping street. Today, the busy Warmoesstraat has a variety of shops and bars - many of them aimed at a gay audience -restaurants, affordable hotels, coffee shops, and a few sex boutiques.

Finally, we arrive at the Amsterdam Centraal Station (that's one fancy station!).From here we can take the metro again, back to the Amsterdam Transferium and make our way home!
We vary our trips to Amsterdam, sometimes having a picnic at Vondelpark; other times exploring the Heineken Brouwerij (but it always sounds like a great time).

Editor's note: Well, I for one will be adding a hotel to my road trip planner so that I can enjoy a few perfect days in Amsterdam! Thanks Harry for sharing this wonderfully rich city with us.

September 29, 2009

Editor Ingrid McCleary couldn't resist sharing these photos with her fellow Road Trip Plannersof the views from the top of Yosemite's Half Dome. "The window of opportunity to see this first hand may have closed for me," she says, "but that doesn't mean my heart didn't sing when I saw some of these photographs my son and nephew took." She goes on to share: For others who can handle a tough, high-altitude, 17 ½ mile round trip in one day, perhaps this will entice you to gear up for it next summer. I say next summer because you'll need those extra daylight hours as members of my family hiked the last two miles of the trail with flashlights when they went on September 21, 2009. And by 17 ½ miles, I'm not talking flat terrain…as my son, Travis, wrote in his Facebook status, "17.6 miles, 4800 vertical elevation increase, 14 hours, 1459872403957 steps." (Okay, the first three facts are true, the last one hyperbole, though I imagine it must have felt like that many at the end of the trail!).

There were also spots where my son, Travis, wanted to linger, like indulging in a refreshing dip in the cool, clear water of Emerald Lake. Two of my brothers, both older than me, got as far as the saddle and opted out of the final cable climb. But judging by their photos, their view was spectacular as well. Other family members went as far as Nevada Falls.

That's not to say only the hardy hiker can go to Yosemite. It can, in fact, be one of best RV road trips a family can take because you have a "soft place to land" when you return from this mega-hike to find your family ready to regale you with their own adventures they had that day. It makes for some animated campfire chatter (though you might beat your children to bed that night).

My family stayed at Cedar Lodge, an affordable hotel about eight miles from Yosemite's West entrance. In order to do the full 17 ½ mile round trip in one day, they hit the road at 6 a.m. and pulled into the parking lot just as the day lightened enough to reveal the intimidating heights they would have to climb.

Another option to consider adding to your road trip planner is to hike approximately 4 1/2 miles to a primitive camping area called Little Yosemite Valley (no reservations required but you do need a wilderness permit), spend the night and then head for the top the next morning (beat the crowds by 2 hours!).

If you decide to spend another night, then your second day would be an 8 1/2 mile round trip, leaving 4 ½ miles for the third day. Others choose to spend only one night, stash their tent gear at the campsite, climb to the top, then return for their gear & hike back to the parking lot, making this day a 13-mile hiking day.

It really depends on your fitness level and how your envision your trip that will determine whether you'll choose the 17 1/2 mile marathon, the 4 ½ - 13 mile overnight plan or the more leisurely 4 ½ - 8 ½ - 4 ½ . Myself? I'd do the more leisurely one because that's my current fitness level but one of my colleagues could easily handle the 17 ½ mile round trip…and do some geocaching along the way!

Cedar Lodge: This hotel is 8 miles from the western entrance of Yosemite National Park (the only one closer is Yosemite View Lodge noted below).

Housekeeping Camp: This is the ideal location for those who like to camp outdoors without the bother of setting up a tent. Housekeeping Camp features sandy beaches for swimming and sunbathing, plus great views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. Housekeeping Camp is also the only lodging facility that allows guests to cook their own meals, with each unit having an outdoor fire-pit and grill.

Yosemite Lodge At The Falls - As the closest property to Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge is an idyllic spot for families, group retreats and visitors seeking to blend the comforts of a hotel while exploring the wilderness.

Yosemite View Lodge – This two-story motor inn sits right along the Merced River and is only 2 ½ miles from the west entrance.

RV Accommodations: Yosemite has 10 campgrounds that can accommodate RVs and trailers (including fifth wheels) of varying lengths. Campgrounds requiring reservations fill up rapidly from April through September so make a reservation early. If you don't have reservations, find out more about camping without reservations. And note that hookups are not available in Yosemite, although dump stations are available at Upper Pines Campground all year, and during the summer only at the Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds.

A tip: Plan on going on the Half Dome hike on a weekday instead of the weekend. There can be quite a bit of gridlock on weekends and it will be challenging enough making it to the top without needing to wait for the step above you to open up (and give vertigo a chance to get its claws into you).

My son's best moment? Imagine this: "Laying down on the ledge with Jeff and a good number of other people, looking down over the cliff face and talking about what we'd just accomplished."

Enjoy the photos. Hope they entice you to put a Yosemite Half Dome hike down in next summer's road trip planning adventure.

P.S. I was right. After I posted this, my colleague sent the following two photos, proof that yes, he did manage both at once!

P.S.S. Reader BernicMac adds this important note: Beginning in 2010 you will need a permit to go to the top on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays. Here's a link that explains it in more detail.

P.S.S.S. Check out the comments below. My son doles out practical and first-hand experience advice that every hiker should consider before hitting the Half Dome Trail.

September 07, 2009

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Update 9/09:

The picture above shows how much our dog loved going to the beach! We were still getting the beach towels together when she decided we'd taken long enough to get going already!

In the picture below, I swear I can see her smile here.

If you have a photo showing your dog enjoying his/her Road Trip, send the photo to editor@tripwiser.com & we'll add our favorites to this page. Your stories and recommendations can be added directly in the comments section below.

August 21, 2009

I stayed local and headed to Sausalito, California for my anniversary this year and highly recommend you add this destination to your Road Trip Planner. Sausalito is a picturesque bayside town with a great waterfront area. There are houseboats and flower-lined side streets, quirky stores and plenty of places to dine, most with a view of the bay. It's also very near the Redwoods (Muir Woods, about 8 miles), a couple of beaches within 20 minutes (Muir Beach, Stinson Beach), Angel Island & Tiburon just a tad north, and of course, San Francisco about 15 minutes south.

We stayed at a houseboat this time but if we hadn't had that accommodation already lined up, I would have chosen the Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa ($200-$405/night). It's right on the waterfront (street side) so every room has a view of Richardson Bay. Another good option is The Inn Above Tide, which sits right over the water (rooms range from $305 to $1025/night). Both are on Bridgeway, the main street in Sausalito. If you're looking for a less expensive hotel to add to your road trip planner, check out Hotel Sausalito (a bit of French Riviera on the park in Sausalito) starting at $155 and others in the low $100s.

One of the things my husband noted right off was the amount of different accents he heard; Sausalito definitely attracts visitors from all over the world…and yet, it manages to keep that "look at this hidden gem we found" feeling. Another standout was the number of exclamations, "Wow! Look at the San Francisco skyline from here!" Pictures were taken in abundance, and deservedly so.

Another favorite activity to add to your road trip planner is to rent bicycles in San Francisco, then plan a full day where you ride from San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge, coast into Sausalito, even venture further north into Tiburon if you're so inclined, then take the ferry back to San Francisco from either Sausalito and Tiburon. I snapped a photo of the last ferry leaving Sausalito showing that the majority of passengers came with bikes.

Below are some examples of the things you can do in this area. Adding these to your road trip planner will give you a varied (and full) vacation!

Day 1 - Sausalito's Waterfront: Bridgeway is the main thoroughfare but on the next street up the hill, Caledonia, you'll find a movie theatre, an historic hardware store, antique shops, dining spots, and art galleries. Definitely worth a visit. A travel tip: You can get free wireless in and around the library. You'll also find free wireless in a few of the coffee shops on Bridgeway.

Day 2 - Muir Woods: There are many hiking options available to experience the California Redwoods, from an easy 1/2 hour stroll to a strenuous 4.5 uphill Ocean View loop. While there, I spotted a number of bus tours that went to Muir Woods: www.SFShuttletours.com, Tower Tours, www.city-sightseeing.us.

Day 3– Alcatraz Island: We lucked out with a docent connection who gave us a private tour so we got to experience a unique Alcatraz! He took us up to see Al Capone's cell, the Birdman's cell and also where Clint Eastwood stayed during the filming of the movie, Escape From Alcatraz. For the public tours, the ferry takes up to 300 passengers at a time and when you arrive, the group is split into three groups of 100, each led by a docent. The ferry is located near Pier 39 so you can easily make a day of it between the Pier activities and shops and Alcatraz. A travel tip: Save $ by parking after 4 p.m.; you can even find some free parking on Bay Street (which Ts onto the Embarcadero).

Day 4- The Lighthouse Cafe is a small dining establishment with 5 tables and 8 bar chairs. They are open from 6:30-3pm and while we were there, all the tables were kept full. Being the only Danish place in town, I went for the Copenhagen Burger with remoulade. Tasty! Then it was off to Muir Beach for some primetime kite flying. A travel tip: Games People Play on Bridgeway in Sausalito sells a lot of cool kites (I picked up an 18-foot frog kite but there are others that are more than 60-feet long!).

You might just need to tack on a few more days to your road trip plannerbecause both Angel Island and Tiburon are also worth exploring while you're in and around Sausalito.

August 07, 2009

Summer's end is creeping up on Road Trip Planners everywhere in the United States and some of them hanker for an exotic beach getaway before Summer gives way to Fall. But what if you don't already have a passport, which takes 6 weeks to arrive and past summer? Or someone in your group doesn't have theirs? Hawaii or the Florida Keys are good options but perhaps you're looking for a more remote vacation? One that has a foreign ambiance? Then consider the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The U.S. Virgin Islands are tucked between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. The northeast islands are called the British Virgin Islands and the two regions comprise the Virgin Islands archipelago. If diamonds are rated by the four Cs (caret, cut, color, clarity); then these islands could be rated by the four Ss (sun, sand, sea, surf). And as in Hawaii, all beaches in the Virgin Islands are public, meaning that even though you might arrive at a gated community, you must be given access to the beach…even at the fanciest resorts. Oooolala!

Instead of creating a trip from scratch with your road trip planner, here's one called Exploring the U.S. Virgin Islands, which you can save as your own and add your own notes to the trip. I recommend printing the trip out before you leave so you can jot down your impressions and review the places you visited. Then once you return from your trip, add photos and share the trip - complete with notes and maps - with friends and family.

Below is some information on the four islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and since 1944, Water Island. You can choose to stay all week on one island and take day trips to the others or you can stay the bulk of your trip on either St. Thomas or St. John then include an overnighter at St. Croix because it's further south.

St. Thomas (called Rock City by the locals) is enchanting and romantic with a population of about 51,000, nearly half of the total population in the US Virgin Islands. The district is a bit larger than 31 square miles and special points of interest include: Fort Christian, Magens Bay, Magens Bay Arboretum and Blackbeard's Castle. Magens Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and from the harbor in Charlotte Amalie, you'll come across a picturesque village.

Water Island (a.k.a. Small City) is right below St. Thomas and is accessible by boat (ferry service from Crown Bay on Saint Thomas to Phillips Landing takes only about 10 minutes). Water Island is the fourth and most recently acquired main island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With 491.5 acres, Water Island is the smallest of the main U.S. Virgin Islands and is a residential island, with a population of 161 (2000 census). There aren't many commercial establishments and only a few homes that are available to visitors, so it's mainly a day trip excursion. The main attractions are its beaches, including Honeymoon Beach. You can also find plantation ruins, and Fort Segarra, an underground fort partially constructed by the U.S. during World War II.

St. John is to the east of St. Thomas and has the Virgin Islands National Park. Saint John is an amazing island in the Caribbean Sea and part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the wealthiest and most expensive of the U.S. Virgin Islands, enjoying a level of affluence that is comparable with the nearby island of St. Barts. The island's high level of wealth and prestige has earned it the common distinction of being the "Beverly Hills of the Caribbean". Called Love City by the locals, St. John is one of the world's premiere honeymoon destinations with several notable world class resorts and one of the top ten beaches in the world. St. John is located about 4 miles east of Saint Thomas. It is about 20 square miles in area with a population of less than 4200. It doesn't have an airport so you need to fly into St. Thomas and take one of the hourly ferries over to it.

St. Croix (dubbed Twin City by the locals) is the furthest south. St Croix rocks! Saint Croix is an island in the Caribbean Sea and part of the United States Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, being 28 by 7 miles. However, the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie, is located on Saint Thomas. Buck Island Reef National Monument preserves a 176 acre island just north of Saint Croix and the surrounding reefs. This is a popular destination for snorkelers.

Accommodations range from the affordable at Villa Santana ($114-$174/night) to the Ritz Carlton ($279 to $989/night). In either place, the beaches and the exotic settings are the true stars. Which hotel you add to your Road Trip Planner depends on your budget and your vision for this vacation, but from either place, you'll feel like you're in paradise!

July 17, 2009

There's no doubt that Road Trip Planners know that National Parks offer some of the best family summer vacations. They also know that millions of other travelers are hitting the massively popular parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite during the summer. So where do you go when you want to experience the great outdoors, be immersed in natural settings but not too far from the amenities that makes family travel easier and yet feel like you're away from the crowds? Well, if you're west of the Mississippi, set your sights on the Olympic National Park in Washington, where the green will astound you.

What sets this park apart from the rest is that Olympic National Park is divided into three distinct regions: The rugged Pacific coastline, the Olympic Mountains, and the lush rainforest. Three distinctly different biospheres; one fantastic vacation. Actually, it does draw over 3 1/2 million visitors a year and yet, you can easily find yourself alone on the beach or hike on trails for miles without seeing other hikers.

The most popular (hence, probably the most populated) area is the 9-mile Ozette Loop. It features 3 miles each of a coastal forest, ocean beaches, and camping at Ozette Lake. It's well maintained with a boardwalk and is an easy hike as the elevation change goes from sea level to 100 feet.

If you've got smaller children, I'd recommend doing a combination resort and camping vacation. Consider filling your road trip planner with the activities found in this Family Fun Trip to Olympic National Park. This road trip includes staying at Kalaloch Lodge in Forks, a family-friendly resort that sells kites in their gift shop and has other amenities like a gift shop, dining, and groceries store onsite. Nearby, you'll find another popular resort, the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, which has 3 mineral pools and 1 freshwater pool. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has the added attraction of providing RV sites as well as cabins (tent camping is nearby at the Sol Duc Campground with 80 sites).

Coastline: The coastal portion of the park is a rugged, sandy beach along with a strip of adjacent forest. The beach has unbroken stretches of wilderness ranging from 10 to 20 miles.

Mountain zone: The Olympic Mountains rise from the center of the park, dominated by the peak of Mount Olympus, which rises to 7,965 feet. It has several glaciers, the largest of which is the Hoh glacier, nearly five kilometers in length. Looking to the East, the range becomes much drier due to the rain shadow of the western mountains. Here, there are numerous high peaks and craggy ridges. The tallest summit of this area is Mount Deception, at 7,788 feet.

Rainforest: On the peninsula is the largest and finest expanse of temperate rain forest in the western hemisphere, declared a National Monument in 1909. The park is 95% wilderness, encompassing the mountains and the sea, with a rain forest in between. We're talking virgin, old-growth forests and untouched land. You won't find many roads and your best accommodations are campsites, but most visitors will agree that the experiences these trails offer are worth the effort. At the Hoh Rainforest's
Hall of Mosses, you'll need waterproof shoes. Trees stretch toward the sky while mosses, lichens and mushrooms cover the ground. This hike is easy enough for a family leaving the more adventurous hikes to those who'd like to backpack in and camp along the Hoh River or at the base of Mount Olympus.

Scenic Drives: Catch the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Loop and drive along till it connects with Upper Hoh Road. This 18-mile stretch traces the silvery Hoh River and is simply gorgeous to behold. There's also a 17-mile Hoh River trail that takes you across the flat valley to Mount Olympus's Blue Glacier.

Other points of interest:

Hurricane Ridge brings you from the lowlands blanketed with old growth forests to spongy meadows. A number of trails can be found here, depending on the group's ability. Be sure to check out the views of the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Lake Crescent is an excellent place to walk along the 12-mile shore of this glacier lake.

Rialto Beach is more active, with waves crashing on cobblestone beach sections and rocky islands known as seastacks are easily visible from the Beach. This is a stunning place to photograph during sunset.

The verdant landscape, the ocean, the rainforest, the snow-capped mountains; each a good reason to add the Olympic National Park to your road trip planner, but to get it all in one trip, makes this a must-see destination for everyone to experience.

But now it's time to head to the
second city on your growing itinerary, Savannah!

Many
people use the word "genteel" to describe Savannah. The word means
refined, elegant and stylish, all adjectives that describe the city
well, from the Savannah River to the seaside resorts to the 2 1/2
square mile Historic District. And though I'm sure you could find a
horse-drawn carriage to draw you into the past, Savannah is considered
one of the Top 10 cities for walking tours.

Fellow traveler, Gary Aldrich, gave Savannah 5-stars, praising "A
wonderful Old-South getaway! I went with my best friend during a period
of intense professional stress and by the end of our few days there, I
was relaxed enough to return to work. The restaurants are wonderful,
and the charming old houses and well-kept park squares are unlike
anything else in the country. Being on a river and near the coast keeps
it very mild, even in winter. Coastal Georgia is indeed a wonderful
winter respite. I highly recommend it, especially when others are in
such a mad rush to get to Florida!" His top picks were Comfort Suites Historic District, Old Pink House Restaurant, and the Squares of Savannah in the Historic District.

In
addition to the Squares of Savannah (in case visiting 21 squares isn't
enough), Savannah also has other distinct points of interest, so make
sure one of these activities gets added to your road trip planner.

Riverfront - Running along the length of the Savannah River,
this area was once the heart of Savannah's booming cotton trade. Now it
is the most popular destination for visitors, with popular restaurants
like Huey's , the Shrimp Factory and the elegant Chart House. Cobblestones dot River Street, a popular starting point for parades and festivals.

City Market - City Market also sits on the river, a bit
north of River Street at Jefferson and West Julian. Like River Street,
the brick warehouses now host droves of tourists. Shops, restaurants
and some of the Savannah's coolest clubs draw daily crowds, with
frequent live music and performance artists lending a festive
atmosphere to this busy corner of the city.

Midtown – This area incorporates the Victorian District.
You'll notice the homes becoming more modern as you head south. Though
you'll find many businesses here and just as you begin to miss Old
Savannah's charm, you come across Thunderbolt, a quaint fishing village on the Wilmington River.

Savannah's Islands - The low country surrounding the city
harbors many small islands, including the residential boom areas of
Wilmington and Whitemarsh, and the touchingly quaint Isle of Hope.
Nearby, Skidaway Island is the site of golfing communities, marinas, and miles of biking and nature trails. Savannah's seaside playground is Tybee Island.
Just 15 miles east of downtown past Fort Pulaski National Monument ,
Tybee Island features a wonderland of crab shacks, expensive condos,
party hotels and cheesy gift shops, as well as the oldest lighthouse on the South Atlantic seaboard.

So there you have it, two southern cities filled to the brim with charm
and hospitality. With that kind of atmosphere surrounding you 24/7,
it's no wonder romance fills the air and delights the senses. Every
couple should add these cities to theRoad Trip Plannerbecause every relationship could use a bit of spice now and then.

June 30, 2009

For a romantic road trip, add Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia to your road trip planner. These two cities dish up hearty helpings of Southern Hospitality spiced with an intoxicating combination of romance and charm. And with only two hours between cities, it's not a long road trip unless you're driving from your own home in another state. Actually, if you DO happen to live less than an 8-hour drive away from either one of these cities, I WOULD make this a triangular road trip and include fun and interesting stops along the way. Otherwise, it would be best to fly into either the Charleston or Savannah International Airports, then rent a car for the duration of your stay so you can spend the bulk of your time "being there" instead of "getting there and back again".

Two hours apart, but each city has distinctive flavors.

Charleston simmers with history. There's a rich mix of "Old South" charm, dotted generously with historic homes, landmarks, and historic districts, all of which make Charleston one of the most popular southern destinations in the United States. You'll find cobblestone streets with shops lined on either side.

A Going Places user had this to say about her stay there: "Charleston has a gorgeous historic district full of luxurious mansions, restaurants, shops, and museums… This is the city where the Civil War began so it's filled with history and fascinating stories. If you go here, you have to go to the market and take in a ghost tour. The nearby plantations are a real sight to see as well and the beaches are spectacular. You'll need at least a week to really appreciate everything there is to see here and the Port City Java coffee shops are really charming. Try to stay at a B&B if you can, they run about the same price as a regular hotel but you get more personalized care and a nice touch of true Southern Hospitality."

Add one or more of these Charleston Districts to your road trip planner to fully explore the city.

Downtown District -Besides historic churches, buildings, and landmarks, you'll find plenty of opportunities for shopping. Downtown is a convenient starting point for getting to know Charleston as it is a vibrant combination of old and new, offering diverse attractions suitable for just about anyone.

Historic District - The Historic District is the oldest part of town with many preserved buildings and homes. Try some walking tours like the Historic Homes Walk , which will allow you to learn more about this amazing architecture dating back to the mid-18th century. And don't forget to check out the old houses like the Heyward-Washington House or the Nathaniel Russell House.

Mount Pleasant District - The Mount Pleasant District is known for its fine dining. And this district holds more than its share of diverse dining establishments. It's also the home of one of the biggest naval & maritime museums in the world, Patriot's Point. Tour boats are available from Mount Pleasant to view Fort Sumter , the site where the Civil War began.

North Charleston - North Charleston is the main business and transportation location for the southern half of the state. Both the International Airport and Amtrak Station are located here. Adding to the bustle of North Charleston is the 14,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum,
home of the South Carolina Stingrays ice hockey team.

Next week we’ll
explore Savannah, but there’s no time like the present to start adding all the
Charleston things to do in your road
trip planner.

June 09, 2009

Most road trip planners plan on driving their own car or RV for their next road trip adventure. If they have to fly to the destination city, they might enjoy renting a car that's different from the one at home, perhaps an SUV, a Jeep, or a fun sports car. But why not leave the driving to someone else and try a railway road trip adventure this year?

Consider this appealing alternative: Take the train to your main destination city then rent a car just for a day or two while you're exploring the area, then hop back aboard the train to another destination. This way, "getting there" becomes its own adventure, especially if your trip includes an overnight stay aboard the train!

There's something about traveling by train that beckons the pioneer spirit within us. And there's a certain appeal to letting the rhythmic chug-chug-chug of the tracks lull you to sleep. Granted, these sleeping cabins aren't as spacious as hotel rooms, but then again, it allows you to cover a distance while sleeping that you couldn't have achieved in a car or RV unless you traded driving shifts. And the cabins are definitely roomier than airline seats!

This is why going on a family train trip is growing in popularity. Dad can play Monopoly with you instead of driving; Mom can watch a movie with you instead of her riding shotgun to keep the driver on track and alert for the duration. When kids get antsy or hungry, you can round them up for a walk to the dining cab (without losing any traveling mileage). Explore the train, revel in the changing scenery buzzing by your view, curl up with a good book and maybe take in a catnap. Trains allow you to slow down and relax…and isn't that one of the main vacation objectives? Your road trip planner will still be filled with things to do, hotels, car rental and restaurants once you reach your destination.

Amtraks's Superliners have sleeping cars that range from Roomettes (1-2 people), special accessible rooms (1-2), and even bedroom suites (4-6) that includes 2 toilets & 2 showers (usually two bedrooms with the partition removed). Even though you'd be advised to stay the bulk of your trip in hotels surrounding the areas you want to explore, sleeping overnight on a train is an adventure in itself. Plus, you get the bonus of Sleeper Service, which entitles you to receive all regular meals as part of your accommodations.

Below are a few of the most popular railway destination in the United States. Amtrak has more than 500 destinations so these are just enough to whet your appetite to fill your road trip planner with a brand new adventure. Bon appétit!

West Coast Spectacular by Rail – Set aside about 10 days for this vacation, starting out with 2 full days/nights in Seattle, an overnight aboard the train heading south to San Francisco, spend 3 nights there exploring city, then aboard the train again to head south to Los Angeles for a 3 night stay there.

Jazz, Blues and Rock 'N Roll By Rail– This trip will have you rock n rolling from north to south on the fun filled 8 days/7 night adventure. You'll start out in Chicago, spend a couple of nights enjoying famous blues clubs like Buddy Guy's Legends, then aboard Amtrak overnight into Memphis for 2 full days in the birthplace of Rock 'n Roll and then landing in New Orleans for some Cajun cooking to enjoy with your evenings of Jazz.

You can also opt for Railway Day Passes if you want the total freedom of coming and going whenever you please (a fun option for couples): 15- Day Railway Pass: 15 Days (8 segments), $389.00 – Adults, $194.50 - Child (Ages 2-15). If you decide to go this route, just fill your road trip planner with activities you'd like to do along the way but leave the days open-ended; that way you have the information on hand.

May 21, 2009

Consider
this for your next road trip
planning:Since Vegas
is already considered an adult Disneyland and plenty of adults have a blast at
Disneyland,
why not make it a week long road
trip
where you’ll experience two distinct types of FUN?

This particular
road trip consists of 3 nights in Vegas, 1 day to drive the distance between
Vegas and Anaheim (can be done in 4-5 hours), then 3 more nights in
Anaheim.Of course, your road trip
planner may have a different order;you
might make it a triangular road trip, depending on your starting point; or fly
in to Vegas, rent a car & make it a round trip road trip. But no matter how
you get from Point A to Point B, you’ll have a great time at both spots with
some interesting scenery and experiences in between.

So, let’s start
with choosing a hotel in Vegas.There’s an abundance of hotels here so it really depends on the level of
luxury you want for this visit.There
are also 3 areas to choose for your surroundings:The main strip, the old strip, and the Fremont
Street area.I recommend staying in the
main strip and taking taxis or shuttle buses to the other areas (no need to
rent a car until you’re ready to drive to Disneyland).Rooms at the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, and
Caesar’s are more on the pricey side; the Luxor and Rio are mid-range and
Excalibur & Harrah’s are more affordable.

The following
night is for music!Make sure you add the
Hard Rock Café to your road trip planner for an overall rock environment.Top-notch blues, Louisiana style has its home
at the House of Blues.And for
those who like to hear bands jam – and get the occasional surprise musical legend come on state - hit the Legends
Lounge for a fantastic evening.

Take in a show
on the third night like Cirque du Soleil’s Love, which blends the magic
of Cirque du Soleil with the revered songs of the Beatles, creating a
phenomenal night of spectacle and awe.We
recommend booking these tickets the same time that you’re doing your road
trip planning because these tickets sell out months in advance.

Leaving Las
Vegas, your route on your road trip planner will show that you’ll be on the I-15 for over 230 miles.Bring plenty of water for the drive as you’re
traveling through the desert.And best
to have a gallon of water for your radiator as well.You
may want to add a few stops in your road trip planner like the Mojave
National Preserve, a 1.6 million acre park with canyons, mountains, mesas, abandoned
mines, homesteads, military outposts…and wildflowers.Consider
eating lunch at a restaurant in Barstow and stop at the California
Route 66 Museum in Victorville.

Sometime in the near
future, there may be a high-speed train that whisks you from Vegas to
Disneyland in a matter of hours – and traveling at 300mph would be an adventure
in itself – but for now, enjoy the ride at a more leisurely pace.

We recommend allowing a full day for this
road trip so that once you get to Anaheim, you can check into your hotel
and relax for a bit before enjoying a leisurely dinner.Save your 2-day Park Hopper package (about
$143 per person) for the following 2 days so you can make full use of both Disneyland
and Disney’s California Adventure Park.You’ll be going from morning to night at both of these theme parks…and
loving every minute of it!

Many people may
have already been to Disneyland but not Disney’s California Adventure Park,
which celebrates the pioneering spirit of the Golden State.You can opt to stay at one of the 3 hotels at
the Disneyland Resort, where the rooms will run you from $245 to $399
night for their hotel/ticket package deals (mid-week, 2 adults, 2-day Park
Hopper).If that’s a bit steep for your
budget, there over 100 hotels within 1 mile of the resort with rates starting
at only $50 per night.

You might also
consider getting a City Pass for $259, which gives you entry into 5 great
places:Disneyland, Disney’s California
Adventure, Universal Studios, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
Separately, this would run you $365, so
if you can stay longer in Anaheim, this would be the way to go (gives you 3-Day
Hoppers and is valid for 14-days).

Vegas gave you
adult excitement and sizzle; Disneyland fills you with childlike wonder and
enthusiasm.In my road trip planning book, that’s adds up to one fantastic
vacation.